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Letters to the Editor for Saturday, Nov. 9

Nov 9 2013 12:01 am

Worst to come

I know my fellow Post and Courier readers are appalled by daily revelations on Obamacare — thousands of citizens losing their current insurance, premiums doubling, etc.

You have not seen anything yet. It gets worse. This president promised on the night of his first election, in front of a backdrop befitting a Roman emperor, that he intended to “fundamentally change the government” of the United States. Indeed he has issued 973 executive orders — unheard of by any president.

His real objective is to redistribute the wealth of the nation. Obamacare is part of that agenda.

It is destroying the best medical system in history. Our local doctors, our world-class MUSC and Roper Hospital will be all but be destroyed. And we have only seen the tip of the iceberg.

The ultimate goal is to so destroy our health care that the only solution will be one provider — health care Uncle Sam. How arrogant to attempt to overhaul the world’s greatest health care system.

Ernest J. Berger

Deer Point Drive

Seabrook Island

Graham gets it

I was disappointed to read in the Oct. 31 edition that Sen. Lindsey Graham’s poll numbers among his Republican base declined recently, especially since the decline resulted from his early, measured forewarning that defaulting on the national debt was “a bridge too far.” Had he not spoken out, those who were serious, bluffing or showboating for the goal of a temporary default might have prevailed, causing serious damage to the economies of South Carolina, the United States and indeed the world.

Even a temporary default would have undermined the full faith and credit of our nation, driving up interest rates that the U.S. Treasury would be forced to pay as it renewed borrowing on our existing national debt as short-term, medium-term and long-term loans fell due for redemption.

Those new higher interest rates would then have the effect of increasing our national debt even if we managed magically, overnight, to avoid running further revenue shortfalls in the budget or in a series of continuing resolutions.

Now let us pray that more of those who govern our nation will learn to temper their partisanship with concern for growing our economy and putting the unemployed, underemployed and discouraged job-seekers back to work.

John Nicholas Hayes

Windmill Creek Road

Charleston

SCE&G billing

I was excited to learn that someone has his eye on SCE&G at last, as you reported on Nov. 2. I wasn’t aware of the method they use to determine our bills, but I know that ever since they put in those new meters that blink all the time and are impossible to read, my bill has doubled.

I’ve cut my hot water down, walk around my house at night with a flashlight, watch TV on a battery-operated set, and sleep in the raw, but my bill hasn’t changed.

It’s past time that we get rid of career politicians and CEOs who prey on us. Don’t forget the government shutdown,

Vote often, and we can overcome.

Robert L. Minter

Mimosa Street

North Charleston

Civics revisited

I agree with everything the writer of a recent letter, “Civics 101,” says about the Constitution and the manner in which laws are enacted, adjudicated, amended, enforced and/or repealed.

Nowhere in my copy of the Constitution does it say that a president has the right, ability or legal authority to change a law or arbitrarily determine which parts of a law will be enforced — in order to serve the needs of his special interest groups. It seems to me the president should abide by the constitutionally established guidelines.

The form of the “Un” Affordable Care Act that this administration is attempting to enact, and I use the term “enact” loosely, does not conform with the law as it was passed, signed by the president and confirmed by the Supreme Court.

The U.S. is a constitutional republic that has functioned extremely well for a very long time based on its adversarial system. I don’t believe the Constitution states that the president gets to have his way just because he was elected. It is the duty of each branch of the government to hold the other branches accountable and make sure they don’t overstep their authority. As the president has said, “Elections have consequences.” A Republican-controlled House was the consequence of the last mid-term election.

And for the record, laws and even constitutional amendments do get repealed. That happens when elected representatives. acting in accordance with the wishes of their constituents, use our constitutionally established adversarial system to make it happen.

I learned all of this in civics class.

Denise Doyon

Baywood Drive

Seabrook Island

Loss of Clamagore

I knew it was coming, but the article about the USS Clamagore being sold and made into a reef still hits hard. I guess becoming a reef is better then being torn to pieces, and she will be where she was made to be — underwater.

So, the last FRAM 3 GUPPY in the world, will be lost forever, and Charleston, which used to be the second biggest submarine base on the East Coast, will have no subs at Patriots Point.

Good bye, Clamagore. For 30 years you helped protect and defend this country, and you got all who served on you safely home.

Fair winds and following seas.

SID BUSCH

U.S. Navy

Sub Service (Retired)

Bridgecreek Drive

Goose Creek

Worthy leadership

Congratulations to John Brumgardt for completion of an outstanding tour as director of the Charleston Museum. For 30 years he managed with diligence, devotion and a steady hand.

Thank you, John, for your outstanding service, and good luck to Carl Borick as our new director.

Robert L. Clement Jr.

Bishop Gadsden Way

Charleston

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